Tuesday, January 6, 2015

The first day of the Germany-South Wine Tour by ombiasy (2014), which took place from September 14 – 20, ended at Weingut Zähringer in Heitersheim, Markgräflerland, Baden. Heitersheim is very much in the South of Germany, close to Switzerland. We were hosted by winemaker Paulin Köpfer.

The day began in Frankfurt am Main, where the Germany-South Wine Tour by ombasy (2014) started. After a couple of hours drive, we reached Schloss Neuweier in the small village of Neuweier in Baden, close to the spa-town Baden Baden, halfway between Frankfurt am Main and Heitersheim. We had a wine tasting luncheon at the 1-star Michelin restaurant of Chef Armin Röttele with the owner and winemaker of Weingut Schloss Neuweier, Robert Schätzle. Before lunch, Robert showed us around in the vineyards and the cellar.

Weingut Zähringer in Heitersheim in the Markgräflerland in southern Germany right across the Rhine River from the Alsace region is one of the leading organic wine producers in Germany. It was founded by Wilhelm I. and his brother Josef Zähringer in 1844, the great-great-grandfather of the current owner Wolfgang (and Marlies) Zähringer.

Picture: Reception with a Glass of Zähringer Sekt

Walter Zähringer and his winemaker Paulin Köpfer count among the pioneers of organic wine in Germany.

The vineyard area totals 10 hectares in the single vineyards Maltesergarten and Sonnhohle (Heitersheim). Pinot Noir accounts for half of the production. We also tasted Chardonnay, Gutedel, Sauvignon Blanc and Grauburgunder. Weingut Zähringer does not produce any Riesling wines. “Riesling is not a tradition in our area” said Paulin Köpfer. The wines are fermented in stainless steel tanks, large wooden barrels (Vierlig – 600 liter barrel) and barriques.

Pictures: Cellar Tour

Weingut Zähringer also produces Sekt, brandies, and oil, all organically and is a member of ECOVIN, the association of organic wine producers in Germany.

Weingut Zähringer sells 95% of its output in Germany and the rest in Switzerland.

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About Me

I live in the greater Washington DC (US) and Frankfurt am Main (Germany) areas and write about wine. I am a member of the FIJEV (International Federation of Wine and Spirits Journalists and Writers). Before starting to write about wine in 2009, I was for almost 30 years an economist at the International Monetary Fund (IMF). I am currently in Washington DC.